A pre-screened lead, or a joint listing to further the training and confidence building

When I worked at Halstead Property in NYC, the founder's/owner's name was Clark Halstead. He used to leave Clark Bars on new agents' desks as part of a welcome. That was pretty sweet!

Training and education.  Everything else will fall into place. 

Take the time and effort to make sure the agent has open access for questions and has a mentorship program for the new agent.

 Training and education are the best tools that anybody can be given.

All the marketing of their listings and to their SOI.

Kevin,

Trust and truth, everything else is gravy if you have that. A

My managing broker shared a listing with me so I could learn while doing. I was so grateful to not have to go that first one alone.

If I was a new agent I would want to be handed a list of the Top 5 - Do's and Don'ts  from each of the agents that have came before me at this company.

Except that:  Each list would be written at the 1 month mark and 10 month mark. So each agent before me would have written 2 - Top 5 Do's/Don'ts

If every Broker did this starting Now...then the new agents would have a feel for what works and does not work early in their first year and late in their first year with the company. And the Broker would know what to work on as well.

A mentor.

Honesty about their abilities and really caring about developing them as agents.  Not a hire a hundred and hope 5 swim philosophy.

Donuts

I very  much like Annette's comment, "you enable through assessment and your equipe with tools". I am going to hold on to that thought.  

The other would be truth - and this holds true whether the agent is new or one moving from another brokerage.  Starting out or moving is a huge investment and not having a clear understanding of what you are getting in to is really deflating.

Patience 

Sweetest thing? @noah nailed it with the donuts.

However, the most useful thing you should provide, as a responsible broker, is a true assessment of the agent.

This assessment is essential when the broker and the team on which the newbie will participate also have completed the assessment and they clearly see each one strenghs and weaknesses and the strategic support they can/will/must provide.

And yes, this can be completed on DAY 1. 

Next sweetest thing is showing the newbie a way to generate leads based on the activity of others. 

You enable through assessment and you equip with tools.

Now that is SWEET!

NOTE: the assesmment is endorsed by Jack Canfield, so it simply is not my opinion.

I like James's answer below. I have benefitted from having a mentor and coach at my present job.

Availability - new agents need to know that they are not just a number, they need to know that the employing broker is there of them, that every question will be answered and how and where to find the training necessary to excel at this business.

Training and education on what it will take to succeed in Real Estate.  Not the fluff that you get preping for your license exam.  Mark

Business.

Leads!

This is what I share with new agents.  It's phenomenal!

One minute video sharing best ever marketing tool for realtors

Make it clear to new agents that they are not employees.  They are independent contractors.  Moreover, the brokerage firm is a vendor the agent hires, just as they employ Verizon for their cell phone service.

Focus new agents on generating new business.  I know that may sound fundamental, but I've seen firms focus new agents on classes that teach them how to fill out a listing agreement, and a contract.  Nonsense.  Business development is the key to success in real estate.

My mentor told me to find the business... there were plenty of folks who could help me write a listing agreement or a contract when the time came.  

I was an agent for many years, then did a turn "inside" in an Admin capacity.  I watched time and time again as new agents, who used to have 8-5 jobs, would come into the office and not know what to do.  They had "training" but most of them had no clue how to sell, prospect, or that it takes a lot of deep, "pull your own boots up" until you get going.  They were used to filling 40 hrs a week with activities and now, no one was telling them what to do!  By the time they went home at night, they were either tired or depressed and certainly weren't looking forward to meeting a client to show a house.

I think it would be more helpful to have a list that is a, "Here's what you do on Week 1:  Digital Profiles on the following websites for 2 hrs each day.
Week 1:  Tour houses for 2-3 hrs each day.

Week 2:  On this form (in Excel), enter the 50+ names of people you know.
Week 2:  Tour houses for 2-3 hrs each day.
Week 2:  Begin to learn closing techniques.

Week 3:  Enter the next 50-100 names....
Week 3:  Tour houses 2-3 hrs each day.
Week 3:  This is how to write a contract.

Week 4:........

A great website that provides good leads sent to agents.  

20 lbs of chocolate? You said the sweetest ....

A mentor. Going in cold is super tough and especially risky.

1.  Training.  

2.  Training.  

3.  Training.  

Many great comments, yet, assigning a mentor to an agent is essential IMO. Agencies in other professions get overrides for training their trainees or other agents. Why wouldn't it work in this industry? 

A good model with whom the newbie can join during meetings with clients, especially listing presentations. 

Brains and a willingness to be present to share it.

Eve

Brokers should provide a mentor. Much needed and not all provide one.

all good points

Attention, acknowledgement for what they do right, and scripts for neogtiations. 

A mentor program is a must. When an agent is new in the business, they have no idea what to expect.  I have seen several agent quit because they thought it was easy and the buyers and or sellers would show up at the Brokers office.  Of course chocolates is a nice surprise.

I think the use of the word employer here is a mistake and I am surprised no one else commented 

A lot of great answers.  From an agent and now manager's point of view I agree that being available to answer questions is a priority.  Also recognition is important.  Don't we all like to be recognized for positive behaviour ;) ?  And of course food.  Offer food and they will come.

A mentoring program that provides support and feedback to help new agents learn the business and get them off to a better start in their new career. 

a salary and a WordPress website with SEO capabilities. Salary should be tied to business development like creating a good website. This is upfront work some agents cannot do because they are focused on closing a deal. Also, this would reflect better on the brokerage, it could be tied to better education so agents are prepared when meeting with the general public. 

It is nice to have a mentor when you are  a new agent.

Kevin S. McCullough A mentoring program to get a new agent off to a good start in this business.